Redsn0w is a popular jailbreaking tool developed by the iPhone Dev Team.

iPhone Dev team had released Redsn0w 0.9.6b4 quite sometime back, which allows iPod Touch users to jailbreak iOS 4.2.1.

In this guide, we will take you through the step by step procedure to jailbreak iPod Touch 4G, iPod Touch 3G and iPod Touch 2G on iOS 4.2.1 using Redsn0w.

Here are some important points to note before you proceed.

• This guide is meant for iPod Touch 4G, iPod Touch 3G, iPod Touch 2G non-MC model users only.
• Please note that jailbreaking your iPod Touch may void your warranty and hence proceed with caution and at your own risk.
• Do not forget to backup your iPod Touch before you proceed. You can refer to this post for instructions on how to backup your iPod Touch.
• Please note that this guide is only meant for Windows users. We will publish a guide for Mac users shortly.
• After the jailbreaking process is complete, do not forget to checkout our article on tips to keep your iPhone secure.
• Please ensure you are running latest version of iTunes, iTunes 10.1 or later.
• Please note that Redsn0w 0.9.6b4 can only perform a tethered jailbreak on iPod Touch 4G and iPod Touch 3G. Tethered means that the jailbreak needs to be reapplied every time you power down your iPod touch. If you let the battery run out or restart your iPod touch then you will need to reapply the jailbreak by connecting to your computer (tethering). iPhone Dev Team has recently released Redsn0w 0.9.7 that will perform an untethered jailbreak on iPod Touch 4G on iOS 4.2.1 but it is currently not ready for the general public.
• Redsn0w 0.9.6b4 cannot jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 for iPod Touch MC model. This guide is only applicable for iPod Touch 2G non-MC models.

You can follow these step-by-step instructions to jailbreak your iPod Touch:

Step 1: Download Redsn0w 0.9.6b4 by clicking here and save the application in a folder named “Pwnage” on your desktop.

Step 2: You need to download iOS 4.2.1 firmware file:

iOS 4.2.1 firmware file for iPod Touch 2G users (iPod2,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw)

iOS 4.2.1 firmware file for iPod Touch 3G users (iPod3,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw)

iOS 4.2.1 firmware file for iPod Touch 4G users (iPod4,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw)

Step 3: Double click the Redsn0w zip file and extract the application to the Pwnage folder.

Step 4: Connect your iPod Touch to the computer, which should automatically launch iTunes.

Step 5: From the ‘Devices‘ section on the left pane of iTunes, select your iPod Touch device. Now, hold down the Shift button and click the ‘Restore‘ button.

Step 6: Navigate to the Pwnage folder on the desktop and select the downloaded iOS 4.2.1 firmware file (iPod Touch 4G users: iPod4,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw, iPod Touch 3G users: iPod3,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw, iPod Touch 2G users: iPod2,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw). Click on the ‘Choose‘ button to let iTunes update your iPhone with the required firmware.

Step 7: Navigate back to the Pwnage folder and launch the Redsn0w application.

Step 8: You will be asked to select the corresponding IPSW file. Click on the Browse button and select the iOS 4.2.1 firmware file (iPod Touch 4G users: iPod4,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw, iPod Touch 3G users: iPod3,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw, iPod Touch 2G users: iPod2,1_4.2.1_8C148_Restore.ipsw).

Step 9: Redsn0w will verify the firmware file and inform you if it has successfully identified it. Click on ‘Next‘ to proceed.

Step 10: Redsn0w will now start preparing the jailbreak data.

Step 11: You will now be prompted to select the jailbreak options you would like. A few of these may have already been selected by default. Make sure Cydia is selected and select ‘Next‘ to continue.

Step 12: You will now be prompted to switch OFF your iPod Touch and plug it to the computer. Follow the instructions and click on ‘Next‘ to move to the next screen:

Step 13: You will now need to put your iPod Touch into the DFU mode. Redsn0w will take you through the necessary steps:

(a) Hold the Power button on iPod Touch down for 3 seconds:

(b) Now simultaneously hold the iPod Touch and keep the two buttons pressed for 10 seconds:

(c) Now release the Power button while keeping the Home button pressed until Redsn0w identifies the device:

Step 14: Your iPod Touch should reboot now.

Step 15: Redsn0w will now begin uploading the new RAM disk and kernel.

Step 16: You will now be notified once the jailbreaking process is complete. Click on the ‘Finish‘ button to exit the application.

Step 17: Your iPod Touch will reboot once again (which could take approximately 5 minutes). After it has rebooted, your iPod Touch should be successfully jailbroken. You should find Cydia jailbreak app on your iPod Touch’s home screen.

Note:

iPod Touch 4G and iPod Touch 3G users should select Just boot tethered right now from the options window and click Next to use Redsn0w to help you boot back into your jailbroken device on every reboot.

Hope this helped. Please don’t forget to drop us a line to tell us how it goes.

[via iClarified]